So what’s Dan facing this time?

Well, his mum is a dryad, so he knows that asking someone from the supernatural world for a favour means there’ll be a price to pay, sooner or later. Dan’s been waiting for the Hunter, the antler-crowned guardian of predators and prey, to call in this debt, after his girlfriend Fin needed the Hunter’s help last year.

He wasn’t expecting this to happen when they were planning to visit Fin’s sister Iris and her new husband Conn at their house in Dublin. Dan has prepared for this unknown challenge, as best he can, by reading up on Irish folklore. So far, he’s learned how different those who live in that unseen realm will be from anyone he’s encountered before – and that crossing them could be very dangerous.

You’ll find a full list of purchase options on the Wizard’s Tower Press website.
That page will be updated as further retailer listings go live.

The Green Man’s Debt will be published on 10th September 2026.

I am sure you will agree that Ben Baldwin has given us another magnificent cover for Dan Mackmain’s latest adventure.

This time around, Dan and Fin are off to Ireland – a trip I know many readers have been keen to see them take. It’s been an interesting writing challenge. I’ve visited Ireland many times, so I can see people and places through Dan’s eyes, but visiting isn’t the same as living somewhere. I have Irish resident characters in this story who I need to be convincing – especially for Irish readers! Thankfully, on my many visits to Irish SF&F conventions, since my first Octocon somewhere around the turn of the century, I have made lifelong friends whose assistance with that aspect of this particular book has been invaluable. (Any errors that remain are down to me, obviously.)

The Green Man’s Debt will be published by Wizard’s Tower Press on 10th September 2026. Pre-orders will open shortly, and we’ll be sharing more about this story to whet your appetite soon.

It’s all go hereabouts!

Today I learned that The Riven Kingdom is included in this week’s Waterstones online only, pre-order offer – ending on Friday 24th July. Enter the offer code SUMMER26 at the checkout and get 25% off the RRP.

Do check out the whole selection of great reads along with the Angry Robot titles … and you will see I also have an interest in No Laughing Matter, a horror anthology forthcoming from Flame Tree Publishing.

This selection of horror short stories has been edited by Peter Coleborn and Mike Chinn and includes work by Ramsey Campbell, Samantha Lee, Stephen Volk and more, alongside my own.

I did say I was busy when I last posted an update … and very productively so. I’m very pleased to report The Green Man’s Debt is now written and edited with the invaluable assistance of Editor Toby, and with the benefit of input from several expert consultants, most notably talented writer and valued friend, C.E. Murphy. As those who heard me read a taster at Eastercon will know, this new story takes Dan and Fin to Ireland. As many of you will be aware, I’ve visited Ireland regularly for years. That gets me so far, but I still need folk closer to daily life there to take a look at what I’m writing. Quite simply, I don’t know what I don’t know.

Ben Baldwin is working on the cover art right now, and the preliminary sketches are as good as you would imagine. I’ll be sharing the finished cover soon, along with details of September’s publication date. Can you believe this is the ninth book in this series?! And that this success is entirely thanks to enthusiastic readers spreading the word? I am hugely grateful to everyone who has supported me and Wizard’s Tower Press as this series has unfolded.

The Riven Kingdom, my new epic fantasy from Angry Robot is now finalised and will be published in ebook and paperback on 27th October 2026. Audiobook production is underway. I’ll post updates on that, and promotions, interviews etc as I have them.

My next opportunity to talk about both books will be a week today. On 25th July 2026, I’ll be taking part in the British Fantasy Society’s BFS Online event, exploring power in speculative fiction, its manifestations, imbalances and consequences, both intended and unforeseen. The event is free to BFS members and £5 to non-members – and these online days are a great introduction to the BFS.

Throughout the day, an international roster of panellists will bring a wide range of perspectives to discussions on how individuals handle power, how oppressive power can be resisted, and whether or not power really does corrupt? At 12.15, I’ll be talking to Shona Kinsella about power dynamics in my own work and elsewhere, in fiction and reality.

Looking ahead to other dates in the diary when I’ll be talking about these books and no doubt, many other things, I’ll be at Fantasycon in Glasgow 9th – 11th October, and Bristolcon (in Bristol obviously) 24th – 25th October. There are a couple of other potential upcoming events, and I’ll post updates on this as and when details are confirmed.

Between now and then, I have a very interesting short story commission to work on, which is what I’ll be doing once I’ve posted this. It’s been a good year for my short fiction. I was tremendously honoured to be invited to contribute to an absolutely stellar anthology celebrating David Gemmell’s work in commemoration of his untimely death twenty years ago. The Iron Code will be published on 28th July by Newcon Press – and you can get your preorders in here

You can also read my contribution to the splendid anthology from Wizard’s Tower Press, Fight Like A Girl Volume 2 in The 2026 Best of British SFF Bundle, available to the end of the month. This fifth annual Best of British SF/F bundle is bigger than ever, and honestly, I read the roster of titles thinking ‘read that, it’s great, ooh, and so’s that, and that, and that…’ The Green Man’s Heir is also in there, so if you know someone you think would enjoy reading that, or any of the other excellent books on offer, do send them the link.
Click here for full details.

That’s all for the moment. Now that I’ve got two novels off my desk, hopefully I’ll be able to blog a bit more frequently. No promises, mind you. I still have plenty to keep me busy, not least supporting the Society of Authors’ ongoing defence of writers’ rights against predatory techbros and others!

You’ve seen me mention the Polestars short story collections from Newcon Press before now? Twelve volumes (so far), bringing together selected short fiction from acclaimed authors writing across the full gamut of speculative fiction.

Now there’s a taster collection of a dozen stories, one from each author, available in an ebook from Amazon for the bargain price of £2.25. Click here

In case you’re wondering, my story in this has only previously been published in my Polestars collection, Different Times and Other Places.

Where are you going to get a better offer today? Enjoy stories from writers whose work you already know and like, and try authors new to you. Start your 2026 Year of Reading in style!

This time last month, I was getting back into the routine after getting home from World Fantasy Con in Brighton. That was very enjoyable on the personal level; seeing friends and catching up with their lives and careers in these uncertain times. Professionally, I was busy. I chaired one panel about writing fantasy for younger readers, from pre-school to teens, which was very informative. I spoke on a panel about ‘writing fighting’ which revealed a breadth of views and experiences among the authors, and that’s always good. I gave a reading – well, two short readings, to give a taste of The Green Man’s Holiday, launched at the convention, and of The Riven Kingdom, coming next year from Angry Robot.

Then there were any number of conversations about the business, and the craft, of writing. I had a very pleasant ‘meet the author’ chat with some lovely people, and over the course of the weekend, signed a highly satisfactory number of books & programmes. A particular delight was signing a much reread and cherished copy of The Thief’s Gamble, my debut novel, in its original edition. Seriously, never feel you shouldn’t ask an author to sign a less than pristine book, and there’s no need to apologise. Every writer I know loves to see them.

We launched The Green Man’s Holiday, alongside Wizard’s Tower Press’s other new titles. The third in the Wiz Duo novella series offers The Sheltering Flame by Ruthanna Emrys alongside Walking a Wounded Land by Andrew Knighton. I’ve read and enjoyed previous work by both these authors and hope to get to these new stories soon. The other title launched was Of The Emperor’s Kindness by Chaz Brenchley which is as intriguing as it is deceptively low-key. There was cake and wine and chatting with friends – and Garth Nix and Peter Hamilton both keen to buy copies of Dan’s latest adventure and get them signed, being fans of the series. How’s that for a great day?

Incidentally, thanks to everyone who has shared positive and enthusiastic ratings and reviews for The Green Man’s Holiday online. Personal and digital ‘word of mouth’ is absolutely vital for small press publications, ever more so as social media fractures and scatters communities.

Since then? November is the Society of Authors’ AGM month, so I had a fair bit to do relating to that. The AGM was very positive and constructive, looking forward to continuing current campaigns to defend copyright, and to promote author care by publishers, among much else. I also took part in an online round table discussion hosted by the Department of Arts and Humanities, European University Cyprus, exploring the uses creators might make of AI tools, or not, and why. If and when that’s offered in the public domain, I’ll share a link.

I’ve also tackled a considerable amount of domestic and work-related administrivia to clear the desk for background reading and plot wrangling for the next Green Man book. I’ve done some website tidying up, and we have now incorporated information about JM Alvey’s historical murder mysteries into this site, along with observations I made along the way about writing fiction set so far in the past in this world.

Last but by no means least, I’ve added a short story The End of the Road, previously published in the final edition of Albedo One magazine, to the Some Free Stories page. Think of it as a seasonal gift, however you may celebrate.

I will now split my time for the rest of this month between Christmas preparations, socialising with friends and family over the holiday break, and the aforementioned reading and plotting before I start writing Dan’s next adventure next year.

I’ve mentioned the epic fantasy I’ve been working on for a while now, and promised more information in the fullness of time. That time is now!

The Riven Kingdom will be published by Angry Robot next year. The press release says:

Angry Robot Books has acquired Juliet E. McKenna’s The Riven Kingdom, described as a “fresh and gripping fantasy” that “blends politics, religion, and a battle for a dead king’s throne, perfect for fans of the Realm of the Elderlings series.”

Commissioned by editor Simon Spanton Walker, the one-book deal covers physical, ebook and audio.
“After devising a world with eerie, hidden magic and winding lethal intrigues around characters as new to me as they will be to readers, I’m thrilled to be working with Angry Robot to bring this story to fantasy fans,” says Juliet.

Simon Spanton Walker, commissioning editor, says: “Juliet writes involved and involving fantasy of the very highest order. The Riven Kingdom is no exception: a nuanced and gripping tale that uses fantasy to give vivid life to both the rulers and the ruled of a fantasy world in crisis. We’re incredibly proud to be her publisher.”

And Juliet’s agent, Max Edwards, adds: “Juliet E. McKenna is a legend among fantasy writers, and for good reason. The worlds she builds, the characters who populate them, and the challenges they face, are truly epic in their scope. After several years away from her heartland, it’s thrilling to see The Riven Kingdom re-inventing the epic fantasy for today’s world.”

So what’s the book about?

When King Venais is killed before he can marry and father an heir, the kingdom of Arafaze is thrown into uncertainty. His sister Princess Idelina, too grief-stricken to assert her claim to the throne, finds herself circled by those with ambitions of their own: Princess Alriad, the dead King’s aunt, seeks endorsement from the Sun Goddess’ high temple to rule as regent; Earl Padran and Earl Debin are determined to see the rightful succession secured; King Tadiri of neighbouring Mervante, whose daughter was set to marry the King, senses an opportunity.

As the kingdom splits into opposing factions, Jadewin, an experienced Moon Priestess, and Alory, a young Sun Priest, discover cliques within the temples and shrines betraying their vows to stay out of royal rivalries. Priests and priestesses defend this world against terrifying incursions from the intangible realm. Amid the upheavals of a war of succession, who knows what malevolent creatures might gain entry into their reality…

The Riven Kingdom is a high fantasy that explores the harsh realities of hereditary power in a world where knowledge of magic and the supernatural are secrets too dangerous to share.

We have a stupendous cover and I will share that as soon as I get the nod.

Taking a quick break from revising my new epic fantasy novel* to be published by Angry Robot next year, here’s some news to please keen readers.

The Green Man’s Holiday will be published by Wizard’s Tower Press on 30th October 2025, and ebook preorders are now open. Paper editions will be available for preorder soon. Check with your preferred retailer and/or find the full roster of purchase links at the Wizard’s Tower Press website.

Incidentally, if you would like to read some early excerpts, do check out Book Quote Wednesday #BookQW on social media. For me, that’s Bluesky, Mastodon, and Facebook. We get a word each week to look for in our books and share what we find. All authors are welcome to join in, so if you browse the hashtag, you’ll find a wide range of genres and writers.

*details about the new fantasy novel will be forthcoming in due course. I can say we now have a title we like very much, and an excellent cover concept. I am very pleased with the new facets added to the original story by the shifts in focus discussed and agreed after editorial input.

Once this rewrite is done, I’ll hopefully blog a bit more frequently…

A brief and very pleasing bit of news today. I’m delighted to share Ben Baldwin’s fantastic cover, along with the title of the next book in my Green Man series.

The Green Man’s Holiday will be officially launched in October at the World Fantasy Convention in Brighton (with a sneak preview at Bristolcon).

Will Dan and Fin enjoy the relaxing break they’re hoping for? You’ll have to wait and see…

Today sees Different Times and Other Places, my retrospective short fiction collection, published by Newcon Press. This is the latest in their Polestars series showcasing writers working across speculative fiction – who happen to be women. Selecting these stories has offered me insights into my development as a writer, as well as highlighting inspirations which I realise go back to my earliest reading. It has also given me the opportunity to share two completely new, previously unpublished stories. The Green Man’s Guest sees an unexpected encounter for Dan Mackmain in an arboretum, while A Stitch in Time Saves One explores an epic fantasy possibility that occurred to me and was simply too good not to use somewhere.

The only downside of putting this collection together – if I can even call it that – is I find I want to write more and longer stories about the people and places I have revisited. My natural writing length is the novel. Writing short stories is a skill I have consciously learned. It’s a distinctly different narrative form which I have come to appreciate, not least by reading the work of other authors who do this supremely well. Writing really good, effective short fiction absolutely isn’t simply a case of fitting a story into the required word count.

My first novel, The Thief’s Gamble, was an epic fantasy, a genre I still read and enjoy. I often come across potential inspirations for fresh ways of looking at magic, and of reflecting on our own lives using the magic mirror of a previously unimagined secondary world. These days, short stories allow me to explore these ideas in between writing my ongoing Green Man series of contemporary fantasy novels. And since a short story asks far less of a reader’s time, they are an excellent way to offer an introduction to my style and perspective as an author.

I don’t ever want to become complacent as a writer, so I continually strive to hone my skills. The best way to improve your abilities in any craft is to tackle new tests. That’s something else I get from short fiction. Writing for a themed anthology is an intriguing creative challenge as I look for an angle that no one else has seen. Then I get to read everyone else’s stories, and see the other possibilities they found. In Fight Like A Girl Volume 2, from Wizard’s Tower Press, it’s great to see so many authors from the first volume returning, as well as the contributions from other writers joining us. It’s very rewarding to see readers enjoying the breadth of perspectives this anthology offers.

Shared-world writing asks similar and also different questions of an author, as a group of writers work together to find the balance between individuality and collaboration that creates a coherent setting which becomes more than the sum of its parts. I contributed the story ‘Unseen Hands’ to the Ampyrium anthology from ZNB in the summer, working with and alongside a great roster of writers to build this new and original milieu.

February 2025 will see the publication of the Lincolnshire Folk Tales Reimagined anthology. This was a different writing challenge yet again. The team behind the ‘Lincolnshire Folk Tales: Origins, Legacies, Connections, Futures’ project at Nottingham Trent University are putting together a programme of launch events, which will include readings, Q&A and more, to promote interest and awareness of the origins and influences of this storytelling heritage. Check this page for the dates and places for events – you’ll need to scroll down for the newest additions.

And now? I’ll get back to working on a new, full-length project that I’m developing, alongside Dan’s next adventure…